Method and apparatus for laying pipelines grouped in a bundle

ABSTRACT

A pipeline laying operation wherein a continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of conduits is payed out from a floating vessel onto a submerged surface under the control of a tensioned flexible cable. The conduits are strapped to an alignment and spacer member at a plurality of longitudinally spaced bundling zones. The cable, the spacer and the pipeline bundle are placed in a force transmitting relationship, i.e., the weight of the pipeline bundle is transmitted to the cable at the spacer locations. Tension is applied to the cable at the floating vessel, to react the applied pipeline bundle weights at the spacers, maintaining the pipeline bundle conforming to a chosen configuration, which will keep the pipe stresses within a given level. Feed paths, defined by roller assemblies, for each of the conduits on the vessel maintain the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and induce convergence of the conduits toward a bundling station.

United States Patent Smith 1 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS'FORFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS LAYING PIPELINES GROUPED IN A 1,138,287101962 G ..61 7 BUNDLE 2 3 [72] Inventor: Leif H. Smith, Houston, Tex.Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro [73] Assignee: Brown & Root,Inc.,'Houston, Tex. AtmmeytBums Deane Swecker & Mathis [22] Filed: July2, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] APPL 3 3 A pipeline laying operation whereina' continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of conduits ispayed out from a floating vessel onto a submerged sur- UsS- Cll 1, faceunder the control a tensioned flexible cable 138/112 The conduits arestrapped to an alignment and spacer CL F161 1/00, 1365b 13/00 member ata plurality of longitudinally spaced bun- Field f Search dling zones.The cable, the spacer and the pipeline 53/ 198 R; 138/ l 1 1 bundle areplaced in a force transmitting relationship, i.e., the weight of thepipeline bundle is' transmitted to [56] References Cited the cable atthe spacer locations. Tension is applied to the cable at the floatingvessel, to react the applied UNITED STATES PATENTS pipeline bundleweights at the spacers, maintaining the 1 060 785 5/1913 Pahl ..6l/72.3Pipeline bundle conforming to a chosen configuration, 8922 8/1931 Parker138/112 which will keep the pipe stresses within a given level. Feedpaths, defined by roller assemblies, for each of 3,425,453 2/1969 Fuller..l38/l ll 3 604 731 9/1971 Petersen ..166/0.6 the mdmts the vessel theend the conduits laterally spaced and induce convergence of the conduitstoward a bundling station.

32 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm 24 I972 SHEET 1 0F 4 ATTORNEYSPATENTEDIIBT 2 I912 3 699 .692

SHEET 3 U 4 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING PIPELINES GROUPED IN ABUNDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pipelinelaying operations. More particularly this invention relates to pipelineoperations for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of aplurality of conduits, from a floating vessel means and onto a submergedsurface.

In the past, pipeline systems have been proposed wherein a plurality ofconduits, grouped in a pipeline bundle, are positioned on a submergedsurface. Such systems, are exemplified in the disclosures of a US. Pat.No. 3,425,453 to Fuller and a U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,369

to Brown.

The technique described in the Brown patent involves the banding ofconduits together into a bundle at a shore location, and thereafterfloating the bundle to a offshore position. From this position, thebundle is lowered to a submerged surface. According to the Fuller patentdisclosure, a multi-conduit pipeline is fabricated on a floating vesselby welding a plurality of circumferentially spaced conduitsperipherially to a core conduit, or by welding a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced conduits to circumferentially spaced rods.Although suchtechniques may be acceptable for some purposes, they mayoften prove undesirable for a number of reasons.

For example, the Brown technique may prove cumbersome in the fabricationof pipelines of significant lengths. It would, therefore, be moredesirable to provide a pipeline laying operation wherein the positioningof a pipeline bundle on a submerged surface may be accomplished bypaying out the bundle from a floating 'vessel than to fabricate thepipeline bundle on a shore location and float sections of such bundlesto an offshore location.

On the other hand, the Fuller technique, which involves reliance upon alongitudinally welded nature of the conduit grouping, may unduly stiffenthe pipeline bundle being laid. Moreover, the actual operation ofwelding the conduits longitudinally together, and the resulting need forinspection of each weld, may prove costly to an excessive amount.Problems of failure by reason of stress problems which may be created bysuch welding operation could also be compounded.

it would, therefore, be desirable to provide a novel technique wherein aplurality of conduits forming a continuous pipeline bundle may becontinuously paid out as a bundle from the floating vessel and onto asubmerged surface, without unduly stiflening the pipeline bundle andwithout requiring a welding operation for bundling. The presentinvention embraces such a technique through the utilization of a cablefrom which the pipeline bundle is suspended and through which thepipeline bundle is controllably paid out from a floating vessel onto asubmerged surface. Through the interaction of alignment and bundlingspacers between conduits and the cable, the weight of the pipelinebundle is reacted by tension applied to the cable as discussed morefully hereafter.

The use of a cable means in connection with the offshore paying out of acable, as in the case of a U.S. Pat. No. l,060,785, to Pahl, and inconnection with paying out of a single conduit pipeline, as in the caseof a continuous wire or spaced wire ties. Such a technique a US. Pat.No. 580,226 to Sanford, has earlier been proposed. Additionally, thebundling of conduits by means of a spacer interposed between theconduits, which are then girded together about the spacer, has beenproposed in a different, i.e., non-offshore laying environment, as maybe seen from the disclosures in US. Pats. Nos. 1,799,673 and 1,868,881to Burke.

These prior art concepts, however, fail to suggest an efficient solutionto laying a pipeline bundle by employing a cable to control the profileof the bundle for a variety of reasons. For example, the Sanfordtechnique utilizes a clamp integrally joined with conduit sections forpurposes of clamping the conduit to the cable. It will be readilyapparent that the provision of such an integral clamp may requireadditional inspection operations to insure the integrity of the conduit,the absence of which may result in costly repairs. Also, if such atechnique were adapted to the laying of a bundled group of pipelines,the pipeline bearing the clamps would necessarily support the weight ofthe entire pipeline group, unless each pipeline of the group wereprovided with a clamp.

-Neither of these alternatives may be entirely acceptable since thefirst might create additional stress problems and the second mightinvolve precision control of the tension in all cables associated withthe clamps of each of the pipelines, as well as precise spacing of theclamps on the various pipelines themselves.

The Pahl technique, if adapted to laying pipelines in a bundle may avoidthe use of such a clamp but would require that the bundle be serviced tothe cable through could present many operationally unacceptable problemssuch as difficulty in maintenance of the pipelines in proper bundleorientation.

Various other problems may be envisioned in connection with attempts tolay continuous pipelines in a bundle utilizing a cable to control thepaying out of and the profile of the pipeline bundle.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a general objectof the present invention to provide a novel pipeline laying techniquefor laying a continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality ofpipelines from a floating vessel means and onto a submerged surfacewhile obviating and minimizing problems of the sore previously noted.

Recognizing problems such as maintaining the integrity of the pipelinesin the bundle, insuring proper orientation of the pipelines in thebundle, and efficiently, as well as economically, operatively couplingthe pipeline bundle to the cable, it is a particular object of theinvention to provide such a technique wherein bundling may be obtainedthrough the use of a bundle spacer and girding means means surroundingthe pipelines in the bundle, while the spacer also functions to servicethe bundle to the cable.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide such atechnique wherein interaction between the spacer and the payout servesto transmit the load of the pipeline bundle to the cable at each spacerstation without the need for securing any clamps directly to thepipelines, and without the need for tying the cable to the pipelines ofthe bundle.

It is a related object of the invention to provide such a techniquewherein bundling of the pipelines is enhanced through controlled guidingthereof.

A preferred embodiment of the invention intended to accomplish at leastsome of the foregoing objects entails the laying of a continuouspipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, from a floatingvessel means onto a submerged surface. A plurality of conduit spacermeans are provided at longitudinally spacer locations, or bundlingzones, along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle extending fromthe vessel toward the submerged surface. The conduits are strapped tothe spacers at the bundling zones and the spacers may also function asalignment means for maintaining the conduits in a predetermined relativeorientation.

A payout and profile control cable means extends from the floatingvessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle and interacts witheach of the spacer means in generally longitudinal forced transmittingrelationship. In this fashion, the spacer is also utilized to servicethe bundle to the cable.

This interaction may be provided by spacer halves, both of which mayclampingly engage the cable means. Additionally or alternatively a cableclamp may be interposed to engage the spacer. In another form of theinvention, the interaction may involve clamping engagement of the cablemeans with both a spacer section and the pipelines oriented by thespacer.

Strapping of the plurality of conduits to each of the spacer means, suchas with band or girding means, is accomplished so as to place the spacermeans and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmittingrelationship adjacent the portions of the bundles engaging the spacermeans. In this fashion, the portions of the bundle span between thespacer means are supported from the cable and the weight of the pipelinebundle is reacted by forces in the cable means at the location of eachof the spacer means. At the same time the distance between bundlingzones is maintained in a predetermined amount.

Tensioning means on the floating vessel is provided for impartingtension to the cable means in order to control the profile of theconduits in the bundle. Where the earlier mentioned cable clamp isemployed adjacent the spacer means and about the cable on the side ofthe spacer means remote from the conduit free ends at the floatingvessel means, the possibility of cable slippage is reduced.

The cable preferably extends generally longitudinally of the bundle andgenerally within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means. Inthis manner, stability of the bundle during the laying operation isenhanced. Particularly, such stability is aided where the cable isgenerally symmetrically positioned at least with respect to the lateralextent of the bundle.

A plurality of roller assemblies may be employed for laterally andgenerally longitudinally guiding the plurality of conduits on board thefloating vessel along predetermined feed paths. The feed paths are suchas to maintain the conduits spaced for joining of additional sectionsand related operations, while the feed paths for each of the conduits tobe joined to the bundle eventually converge toward a single bundlingstation. Where more than two conduits are to be bundled,

the roller assemblies advantageously guide the conduits at differentelevations along the feed paths.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the subsequent detailed description thereof with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to likeelements, and in which:

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view schematically depictingfloating vessel means involved in a pipeline bundle laying operationaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional, elevational view of a portion ofthe floating vessel means of FIG. 1 at the fixed inclined ramp zone andin somewhat greater detail;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the fixed inclined ramp zone of floatingvessel means shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial transverse elevational view illustrating a conduitguiding and supporting station and taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the conduitguiding and supporting station of FIG. 4 and taken along line 5-5therein;

FIG. 6 is a partial transverse elevational view taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 2 and illustrating a conduit guiding and supporting station thatalso functions as a payout station;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6,with one conduit omitted for simplicity;

FIG. 8 is a partial transverse elevational view taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 2 and illustrating a conduit guiding and supporting station for thepipeline bundle as fully assembled;

FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view depicting the formation of apipeline bundle according to the present invention utilizing onepreferred form of conduit spacer and alignment means;

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view of one bundling zone portionof the pipeline bundle formed according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the bundle taken along line 11-11of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a pipeline bundle according to thepresent invention utilizing another preferred form of conduit spacer andalignment means;

FIG. 13 is a transverse elevational view of an alternative conduitguiding and supporting station situated at a location similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 4, and may be considered to be taken along line13-13 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a transverse elevational view of an alternative conduitpayout station situated at a location similar to that illustrated inFIG. 6, and may be considered to be taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG.14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Summary With reference to the accompanyingdrawings, preferred embodiments of a method and apparatus for layingpipelines grouped in a bundle, according to the present invention, maybe understood.

As may be seen in FIG. I, the pipeline laying operation according to thepresent invention utilizes a floating vessel means which may be providedwith a ramp 22 as a fixed portion thereof at the starboard side of thestern. The ramp 22 is generally inclined with respect to the deck 24 ofthe floating vessel means.

Slidably supported by rotatable rollers and guided on the floatingvessel means 20, at a plurality of conduit guiding and supportingstations 26, 28 and 30, hereinafter more fully described, are pluralityof elongate, flexible conduits ultimately grouped in an elongate,flexible pipeline bundle, schematically indicated at 32. The bundle 32depends from the floating vessel means 20 into a body of water 34 towarda submerged surface (not shown).

In the embodiment of the present invention which FIGS. 2-11 relate, fourconduits 36, 36, 38, 38 are depicted as being involved in the pipelinebundle laying operation. Two of the conduits 36, 36 may be considered tohave a relatively smaller diameter (e.g., 2 inches) as compared with theremaining two larger diameter (e.g., 4 inches) conduits 38, 38. In theembodiment of the present invention to which FIGS. 12-15 relate, twoconduits 38, 38 of generally the same diameter are depicted as beinginvolved in the laying of the bundle 32 on the submerged surface. Itwill, however, be appreciated that the present invention may be adaptedto, and embraces, bundle laying operations wherein different numbers ofconduits and other diametrical relationships are involved.

The conduit guiding and supporting stations 26, 28 and cooperate todefine feed paths for laterally and generally longitudinally guiding theconduits 36 and 38 on the floating vessel means 20. As will becomeapparent from the subsequent discussion of FIGS. 4 and 13, the initialstations 26 may be located on the vessel deck 24 forward of the inclinedramp portion 22; and these stations 26 function together as the initialfeed path zone 40 generally longitudinally aligned with that inclinedramp portion 22.

During passage of conduits through the initial feed path zone 40, theconduits are maintained laterally spaced from one another bysubstantially a fixed distance. Maintenance of the conduits laterallyseparated facilitates joining of additional pipe sections (not shown) toeach of the conduits, as well as related operations such as jointinspection and the like. As will be appreciated, suitable weldingstations and inspection stations (not shown), etc., are provided in theinitial feed path zone 40. Also, pipe'section storage areas and pipesection manipulating equipment (not shown) may be suitably provided.

The remaining guiding and support stations 28 and 30 are suitablylocated at longitudinally spaced positions on the inclined ramp portion22 of the floating vessel means 20. These stations 28 and 30 aregenerally longitudinally aligned, in the sense of being generallycoplanar, with the stations 26 of the initial feed path zone 40.

As hereinafter more fully described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 14,one station 28 on the ramp 22 additionally functions as a cable payoutstation. The next illustrated stations 30 in the feed path functions asa bundling station. Additional guiding and supporting stations 30 spacedalong the ramp 22 in the terminal feed path zone 41 serve to establish adesired profile of the bundle 32 for entry into the water body 34 duringpayout.

In the feed path zone 42 between the bundling station 30 and the lastguiding and support station 26 of the initial portion 40 of the conduitfeed path, the conduits to be grouped together in a bundle are caused togenerally laterally coverge toward one another for completion of abundling operation.

As will subsequently become apparent, additional guiding and supportingstations may be provided in the feed path zone 42 of convergence so longas they are suitably dimensioned in conformity with the desired degreeof convergence and/or relative elevation, if any, of the conduits inthat zone 42.

At the guiding, supporting and payout station 28, and elongate, flexibleand tensioned cable means 44 (FIGS. 7 and 15) is interposed intermediatethe group of conduits for subsequent control over the profile and payoutof the pipeline bundle 32. After the conduits pass that station 28 alongtheir feed paths, they are strapped to conduit spacer means 46 (seeparticularly FIGS. 11 and 12) at the bundling station.

At this station, the pipeline bundle 32 and the spacer means 46 areplaced in general force transmitting rela tionship at a plurality ofbundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits. It will becomeapparent that this force transmitting relationship entails sufficientgripping of the conduits in the bundle 32 so as to prevent the conduitsfrom sliding freely beyond the spacer means 46. At these bundling zonesthe cable means 44 and the spacer means 46 are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-11 wherein a spacer means 46 comprised oftwo spacer halves 46a and 46b is employed, one of the spacer halves 46bis installed at a feed path location adjacent to and forward of thepayout station 28 (see FIG. 6). The remaining spacer section 46a may beinstalled at a location adjacent to but forward of the next guiding andsupporting station 30 following the payout station 28. At the same time,the conduits may be bundled together by strapping the conduits to thespacer means 46.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15 wherein a spacer means 46 comprised ofa single spacer section is employed, this spacer means 46 is installedat the bundling zone adjacent to but forward of the guiding andsupporting station 30 following the payout station 28.

When the floating vessel means 20 moves forward, the continuous pipelinebundle is payed out by paying out the flexible cable means 44. Thetension in the flexible cable means 44 is maintained to control theprofile of the continuous pipeline bundle.

As will be appreciated, the generally longitudinal force transmittinginteraction of the cable means 44 and the spacer means 46, along withthe force transmitting relationship of the spacer means 46 and thepipeline bundle 32, serves to transmit the weight of the pipeline bundleto the cable means 44 at the bundling zones. The preferred manner ofplacing the spacer means 46 and the cable means 44 in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship is hereinafter more fullydescribed.

Placing of the spacer means 46 in the pipeline bundle 32 in a forcetransmitting relationship may be accomplished in any suitable manner,such as by means of a plurality of girding or banding means 48 (FIGS.10-12) surrounding the conduits of the bundle and the spacer means 46.The girding means or banding means 48 may be comprised of tensionedbands suitable clamped as indicated at 49.

As will be appreciated, the banding or girding means 48 define a bundleenvelope; Preferably, the operational coupling of the bundle to thecable means 44 is accomplished by positioning the cable means 44 withinthat bundle envelope to enhance stability of the bundle 32 during thepayout operation. Further stability may be imparted to the system whenthe cable means 44 is positioned generally symmetrically with respect tothe lateral extent of the pipeline bundle 32, i.e., centrally asindicated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

During initial stages of the laying operation, the generally centralcable means 44 may be payed out and tied off to an anchor, platform legetc., or otherwise positioned in any suitable manner. A suitable deckengine (not shown) may be employed to apply tension to the cable duringthe laying operation. This tension is necessary to partially react theweight of the pipeline bundle 32 while laying. When the laying operationis completed, the terminal portion of the bundle may be set over theside of the floating vessel means with suitable davits (not shown), orthe floating vessel means may be moved ahead to lay out from under thepipeline bundle 32.

Detailed Structure and Operation With continued reference to FIG. 1, andwith reference specifically to FIGS. 2-1l, details of one preferredembodiment of the present invention may be appreciated.

In FIG. 2, a section of the floating vessel means 20 including the zone42 of conduit convergence is illustrated, with the inclined ramp portion22 of the barge 20 shown in cross-section. FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofthe inclined ramp section 22 shown in FIG. 2, and illustrates theconduit convergence.

FIG. 4 illustrates in some detail one form of one of the initial guidingand supporting stations 26. As may be seen, this station 26 is arrangedwith four supporting and guiding roller sections 50 cooperable with thefour conduits 36, 36, 38, 38. These roller sections 50 are laterallyspaced from one another by a suitable distance and are suitably mountedon a transverse support member 52, which may take the form of an l-beamor the like (see FIG. 2).

The transverse support member 52 is in turn supported on generallyvertically extending beams 54 spaced along the length thereof. Attachingof the transverse support member 52 to the beams 54 may be accomplishedin any suitable manner, such as by welding.

Each of the roller sections 50 may be comprised of a revolving lateralguiding roller section 56 and a revolving horizontal support section 58,with each roller section 56 and 58 being suitably attached to thetransverse supporting beam 52.

The lateral guiding section 56 may be comprised of a generally U-shapedbracket 60, which may include outwardly flanged attaching legs 62, alongwith a transverse supporting element 64 (FIG. 5). Two spaced andgenerally parallel rollers 66 are rotatably supported for rotation abouta generally vertical axis in any suitable manner. For example, rollershafts 67 cooperating with the bracket 60 and the supporting element 64may be employed for this purpose (FIG. 5). As illustrated, the lateralspacing between the guide rollers 66 is sufficient to accommodate forthe diameter of the conduit 36, 38 with which the rollers cooperate forlateral guidance. Although a spacing substantially equal to the conduitdiameter is illustrated, it will be apparent that somewhat widerspacings may be employed.

The horizontal supporting section 58 includes a roller 68 which may bemounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis in anysuitable manner, such as by means of roller shafts 70 cooperating with agenerally upwardly facing support bracket 72. The bracket 72 may bemounted tothe transverse support member 52 aft of the lateral guidingsection 56, as illustrated, or forward thereof if desired. Generally,the horizontal support section 58 may be symmetrically located withrespect to the lateral guiding section 56 forming the respective rollerassembly 50.

Each of the guiding and support stations 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 maytake the form of the FIG. 4 arrangement, with each section beinggenerally longitudinally aligned with, and situated at a similarelevation as, the other sections. The generally fixed lateral spacingthereby maintained between the conduits 36 and 38 facilitates joining ofadditional pipe sections to these conduits.

Between the last of the initial support stations 26 and the payout andguiding station 28, the conduits 36, 36,

38, 38 are caused to generally converge toward a central location (FIG.3). This may be accomplished through the arrangement of rollerassemblies 50 at the payout station 28.

From FIG. 6, it may be seen that the payout station 28 may be comprisedof another transverse supporting member 52 suitably mounted on generallyvertical support beams 54. However, only three roller assemblies 50 aresupported on the transverse support member 52. The roller assemblies 50may be substantially identical to the roller assemblies 50 discussed inconnection with FIG. 4.

It will, however, be apparent that the lateral distance between theouter roller assemblies which cooperate with the conduits 36 at thepayout station 28 is less than the lateral distance between theoutermost roller assemblies 50 of the support stations 26. In thisfashion, initial convergence of the outer conduits 36 is induced.

At the payout station 28, the intermediate roller assembly 50 cooperateswith both of the intermediate conduits 38 and the lower spacer section46b for lateral guidance. The spacing between the lateral guidingrollers 66 is, of course, less than the spacing between the conduits 38maintained at the initial support stations 26. Hence, the conduitsections 38 are caused to converge. It is this convergencewhich permitsinstallation of the lower spacer section 46b.

In FIG. 6, the lower section 46b of a spacer means 46 comprised of twohalves is shown as installed. This bottom spacer section 46b is providedwith generally longitudinally extending arcuate grooves 73 (FIG 9) forpartially surrounding the outer peripheries of the conduits 38. Thegrooves 73 function to maintain the conduits 38 in a predeterminedalignment relative to one another.

The lower spacer section 46b is also provided with a generally centrallongitudinal groove 74 (FIG. 9) on the upper face 75 thereof. Thisgroove 74 functions to receive the cable means 44 interposed into thesystem at the payout station 28. Thus, upon installation of the lowerspacer section 46b adjacent and immediately forward of the payoutstation 28, initiation of the bundling operation is commenced.Immediately thereafter, as the spacer section 46b and the alignedconduits 38 pass through the central roller assembly 50, initiation ofthe operative coupling of the pipeline bundle to the flexible cablemeans 44 is commenced.

For this purpose a sheave assembly is provided at the payout station 28.This sheave assembly may include a cable supply pulley 76 disposed abovethe lower support roller 68 of the central roller assembly 50. Thispulley is rotatable about a generally horizontal axis generally parallelto the axis of rotation of that roller 68. A suitable bracketarrangement indicated at 78 may be provided for mounting the pulley 76on the support bracket 60 of the central roller assembly.

An additional feed pulley 80 may be provided for feeding of the flexiblecable 44 to the cable supply pulley 76. The pulley 80 may be supportedby a suitable bracket indicated at 82 (FIG. 6) on one of the outerroller assemblies 50. The feeding pulley 80 may be rotatable about anaxis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the other pulley76.

The flexible cable means 44 extends from a suitably located deck winch(schematically indicated at 83 in FIG. 3) around the feeding pulley 80,and then changes direction to pass around the cable supply pulley 76.The supply pulley 76 is generally coplanar with the cable receivinggroove 74 in the lower spacer section 46b as it passes through thecentral roller assembly 50; and the cable 44 leaving the pulley 76 isdisposed adjacent to the groove 74.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, a tensiometer 84 may cooperate with the cablemeans 44 prior to its passage to the feeding pulley 80 so as to indicatethe tension in the cable means 44 during operation. The tensiometer 84may be of any conventional type.

At this juncture, it may be noted that the supporting roller 68 of theintermediate roller assembly 50 at the payout station 28 is disposed atan elevation below of the supporting roller 68 of the outer rollerassemblies 50. Thus, in addition to convergence induced by thearrangement of the roller assemblies 50 at the payout station 28, theintermediate conduits 38 are downwardly displaced from the outerconduits 36. The purpose of this arrangement is to alter the elevationof the feed paths of the intermediate conduits 38 to accommodatesuperposition of the outer conduits 36 during subsequent installation ofthe upper section 46a of the spacer means 46.

This installation may be accomplished adjacent to the guiding andsupporting station illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. From FIG. 8 it may beseen that this supporting station 30 may include another transversesupporting member 52 suitably mounted on generally vertically extendingsupporting beams 54, as in the case of the previously described stations26 and 28. However, only a single roller assembly 50 is employed.

This roller assembly 50 is substantially identical to the intermediateroller assembly 50 at the payout station 28 even from the standpoint ofroller spacing and elevation. In this fashion, the lateral guidingrollers 66 cause convergence of the outer conduits 36 and maintained theinner conduits 38 in their desired aligned position. These lateralguiding rollers 66 cooperate with the spacer means 46 and the conduitsgrouped thereto as the pipeline bundle passes through the rollerassembly 50.

In FIG. 9, it may be seen that the upper spacer section 46a is providedwith two generally longitudinally extending arcuate grooves 86 forreceiving and aligning the outer conduits 36. In addition,-the upperspacer section 46a is provided with a generally central, longitudinallyextending groove 88 in its lower face 90. This groove 88 and thecomplimentary groove 74 in the lower spacer section 46b cooperate tocapture the flexible cable means 44 generally centrally of the pipelinebundle.

According to one technique of the present invention, the capturing ofthe cable means 44 is accomplished by clamping engagement of the upper,and lower spacer sections 46a and 46b against the cable means. In thismanner, the spacer means 46 and the cable means 44 areplaced ingenerallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship.

The spacer halves 46a and 46b may be held tightly together by means ofone or more bolt assemblies 92, as indicated in phantom in FIG. 11, forthe purpose of providing clamping engagement with the cable means 44.Thus, the tensioned band means 48 need only serve to bundle the conduits36 and 38 to the spacer means 46 and to place the conduits and thespacer means in force transmitting relationship.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the upper and lower sections 46a and 46b ofthe spacer means 46 may be comprised of generally elongate blocks havingoppositely facing portions 93 and 94 of generally rectangularcross-sectional configuration. These portions respectively merge withoppositely extending sections 96 and 98 of generally trapezoidalcross-sectional'configuration, apart from the cutout portions providedby the conduit receiving grooves 86 and 73.

These grooves 86 and 73 are generally symmetrically disposed on oppositesides of the cross-sectionally trapezoidal sections 96 and 98. In theillustrated embodiment, the depth and configuration of the grooves issuch as to generally conformingly accommodate approximately half thecircumferential extent of the associated conduits 36 and 38 which thespacer means 46 functions to separate and align. At the same time, thecable means 44 is centrally positioned generally at the intersection ofimaginery lines connecting the diagonally opposite conduits 36 and 38.

In order to insure against relative slippage between the cable means 44and the spacer means 46, a cable clamp 99 (FIG. 10) may be interposed ateach bundling zone. The cable clamps 99 are, of course, positioned onthe aft side of the spacer means 46, i.e., on the side of the spacermeans remote from the conduit free ends at the floating vessel means. Inthis fashion, when the cable means 44 is tensioned, each cable clamp 99functions to place the cable means 44 and the spacer means 46 ingenerally longitudinal force transmitting relationship. This isaccomplished substantially independent of the existence or non-existenceof any clamping engagement of the spacer section with the cable means44.

With reference now to FIGS. 12-15, details of another preferredembodiment of the present invention may be understood. As earlier noted,in this embodiment only two conduits 38 are grouped into the bundle 32.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate form of the support stations 26 locatedin the initial portion 40 of the conduit feed paths (see FIG. 1). Inthis arrangement, the support section 26 includes two roller assemblies100 laterally spaced from one another to maintain the conduits 38laterally spaced for purposes of facilitating joining of additional pipesections and related operations.

These V-shaped roller assemblies 100 each include two rollers 102supported by brackets 104 for rotation about mutually downwardlyinclined axes. The converging rollers 102 thus serve to both laterallyguide and slidably support the conduits 38.

Each of the roller assemblies 100 may be suitably supported on a supportstand 106. These stands 106 may be comprised of a generally verticallyextending support member 108, and a generally horizontally extendingsupport member 110. Each of the other support stations 26 may besimilarly constructed; and the support sections 26 are arranged inlongitudinal alignment with one another, as in the case of the FIG. 4embodiment.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, an alternative embodiment of the conduit guiding,supporting and payout station 28 is illustrated. This station 28 may becomprised of two roller assemblies 112 respectively cooperable with oneof the two conduits 38 for lateral guiding and slidable support thereof.In a manner similar to the roller assemblies 50 of FIGS. 4-8, the rollerassemblies 112 include a generally horizontally extending support roller114 on opposite sides of which generally vertically extending guiderollers l 16 may be positioned.

The lateral guiding rollers 116 may be supported on superimposedbrackets 118 (FIG. extending from generally vertical struts 120 at asuitable elevation. Rotatable mounting of the rollers 116 may bfacilitated by shafts indicated at 122.

The struts 120 supported on the inclined ramp 22 may be braced relativeto one another by generally diagonally extending interconnecting struts124 which may also be of tubular configuration. The middle two generallyvertical struts 120 may also be interconnected by a generallyhorizontally extending member 126, which may function as a support for aportion of a sheave assembly.

This support 126 may in turn be braced and supported by rearwardlyinclined and vertical supporting struts 128 and 129. The outer generallyvertical supports 120 may be additionally braced by inclined supportingstruts 130.

Included in the sheave assembly is a cable supply pulley 132 mounted forrotation about a generally horizontal axis. A bracket 134 may serve torotatably interconnect the pulley 132 to the sheave support member 126.

Suitably mounted on the inclined ramp 22 below the first pulley 132 isan additional pulley 136. This pulley functions as a feed pulley in amanner similar to the pulley 80 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As in the previously described embodiment, a suitable tensiometer may beemployed to control the tension of the flexible cable 44 passing fromthe deck winch around the feed pulley 136 and around the servicingpulley 132. In the arrangement illustrated, the cable 44 emergesintermediate the roller assemblies 112.

Between the payout station 28 and the single roller assembly station 30(which may take the form of the FIG. 8 illustration), the conduits 38are caused to converge toward one another for bundling. If desired, thisconvergence may be initiated at the payout station 28 by proper spacingof the roller assemblies 112. Adjacent but forward of the single rollerassembly station 30, bundling of the conduits 38 is effected to producea pipeline bundle cross-sectionally illustrated in FIG. 12.

For this purpose, a spacer means 46, which may also serve to align theconduits 38 may be employed. This spacer means 46 may be comprised of agenerally elongated block similar in cross-sectional configuration tothe upper spacer block 46a illustrated in FIG. 1 1. However, instead ofat the lower portion thereof, a generally central longitudinallyextending, cable means receiving channel 138 is provided on the upperface thereof.

On the diagonal sides of the spacer block 46, alignment grooves 140 arefashioned. These generally longitudinally extending grooves 140 aregenerally arcuate for conforming engagement with a portion of the outerperiphery of the conduits 38.

As may be seen in FIG. 12, the dimensions of the spacer block 46, thecable means receiving groove 138, and the alignment grooves 140 are suchthat when the conduits 38 are strapped to the spacer block 46 throughthe use of the band means 48, the cable 44 is clampingly engaged betweenthe facing conduit peripheries and the spacer block. In this manner, thetensioned cable means 44 is placed in generally longitudinal forcetransmitting relationship with the spacer block 46. Again, the conduitsin the bundle 32 are placed in generally force transmitting relationshipwith the spacer block 46 by the band means 48.

In summary, a pipeline bundle laying operation according to the presentinvention entails the establishment of feed paths where generallylateral guiding and longitudinal support of the conduits is accomplishedon the floating vessel means. These feed paths may be initially providedby the roller assemblies at the guiding stations 26. During the initialportion 40 of the feed path defined by the guiding sections 26, the endportions of the conduits on the floating vessel means are maintainedgenerally laterally spaced from one another.

However, the feed paths are situated such that the conduits eventuallyconverge toward a bundling station on the inclined ramp portion 22 ofthe floating vessel means 20. In both of the previously describedembodiments of the present invention, the bundling station is locatedadjacent the first single roller support assembly 30.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, convergence of the conduits 38 needonly be initiated between the payout station 28 and the bundling zoneadjacent the first single roller assembly support station 30. However,in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-11, since four conduits are to be groupedin the bundle, initial convergence of the intermediate conduits may beaccomplished between the last initial support station 26 and the payoutstation 28. Convergence of the remaining two outer conduits can beaccomplished between the payout station 28 and the bundling zoneadjacent the first single roller assembly station 30.

Generally, the vertical level of the conduits in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1215 may be constant until the paths of the conduit pass thestation 30 adjacent the bundling zone. This may be accomplished throughsuitable dimensioning the supporting members of the roller assemblies orthe roller elements themselves.

However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-11, the roller arrangement is suchto permit a slight upward vertical displacement of the extreme conduits36 adjacent the payout station 28. In this fashion, the convergence ofthe outer conduits 36 toward one another at a level above theintermediate conduits 38 may be accomplished at the bundling zone.Generally the vertical level of the intermediate conduits 38 may bemaintained constant until passage of the conduits from the supportstation 30 adjacent the bundling zone.

At the feeding station 28, a tensioned cable means 44 is interposedintermediate the conduits. Control of the tension of the cable meanscontrols the stress level and payout of the pipeline bundle 32.

At the bundling station, the conduits are strapped to a spacer means 46to place them in force transmitting relationship therewith. At the sametime, the flexible cable means 44 is placed in generally longitudinalforce transmitting relationship with the spacer means 46. This may beaccomplished by clampingly engaging the cable means 44 with the spacermeans 46.

In one illustrated embodiment, the cable means 44 is additionallyclamped by the conduits 38. In the other embodiment, the cable means 44may be placed between the two spacer halves 46a and 46b. According tothis latter embodiment, additionally or alternatively, a wireline clampmay be employed.

In any event, the weight of the pipeline bundle is transmitted to thecable means 44 at each of the bundling zones. It will be appreciatedthat as a sufficient length of the bundle 32 is payed out, additionalbundling operations are performed at the bundling station adjacent theguiding and support station 30.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES From the foregoing, it may be seen that accordingto the present invention an efficient method and apparatus for laying apipeline bundle by employing a cable to control the profile of thebundle are provided. Particularly, the integrity of the pipelines andthe bundle is maintained.

Where the spacer means is also employed as alignmerit means, properorientation of the pipeline and the bundle is enhanced.

Of independent significance is the operative coupling of the pipelinebundle to the cable by using a spacer, the strapping of the conduits tothe spacer means and the placing of the spacer means and the cable meansin force transmitting relationship in a manner which transmits theweight of the pipeline bundle to the cable at the bundling zones.

Additional advantages may be realized through the stability obtained bypositioning of the cable means within the envelope defined by thegirding means surrounding the conduits. This stability is furtherenhanced .where the cable is generally symmetrically located withrespect to the lateral extent of the bundle envelope.

The placing of the cable means and the pipeline means in operativelycoupled relationship through clamping engagement of the cable means withat least the spacer means and/or through the use of wireline clamps isparticularly advantageous from the standpoint of ease of the bundleassembly operation.

Further advantages are provided through the provision of feed paths forlaterally and generally longitudinally guiding the conduits on thefloating vessel means. The feed paths maintain the end portions of theconduits laterally spaced for joining additional sections, and each feedpath converges toward the bundling station.

Related advantages are obtained where more than two conduits are to begrouped into the bundle if the feed paths are also defined so as tomaintain desirable differences in conduit elevation at appropriatelocations.

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferredembodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat additions, modifications, substitutions and deletions not specifi-.cally described may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundlecomprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits,from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the methodcomprissupporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floatingvessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of watertoward the submerged surface;

extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from thefloating vessel toward the submerged surface;

bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundlingzones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by strapping theplurality of conduits to conduit spacer means to place the pipelinebundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship;

operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cablemeans at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacermeans and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmittingrelationship; and

paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle intothe body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable tocontrol the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipelinebundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of thecable means and the spacer means, and the force transmittingrelationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle togetherserving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces inthe cable means at the bundling zones.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing at least thespacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sectionsof the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the spacer meansand a portion of the conduit bundle in clamping engagement with thecable means.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting'relationship by positioning a pluralityof cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer meansremote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means. I

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship by positioning a pluralityof cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer meansremote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the step of bundling comprises aligning and maintaining the plurality ofconduits in a predetermined relative orientation with the spacer means.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein:

the conduits are strapped to the spacer means with girding meanssurrounding the conduits and the spacer means, and wherein the step ofoperatively coupling the bundle to the cable means comprises positioningthe cable means within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein:

the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect tothe lateral extent of the bundle.

10. The method according to claim 1 including the step of:

providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vesselmeans, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of theconduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths convergingtoward a bundling station.

1 l. The method according to claim 10 wherein:

the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at differentelevations along a portion thereof.

: 12. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipelinebundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuousconduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, themethod comprismg:

supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vesselwith a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward thesubmerged surface;

extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from thefloating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality ofconduits together, at a plu- 5 rality of bundling zones spacedlongitudinally along the conduits, and maintaining the conduits in apredetermined orientation by strapping the plurality of conduits toconduit spacer means with girding means to place the pipeline bundle andthe spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operativelycoupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable at thelongitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and thecable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationshipwith the cable positioned within the bundle envelope defined by thegirding means; and

paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle intothe body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable tocontrol the profile thereof and the pipeline of the continuous pipelineof the continuous pipeline bundle;

the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cablemeans and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship ofthe spacer means and the pipeline bundle together sewing to react theweight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means atthe bundling zones.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein:

the spacermeans and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinalforce transmitting relationship by placing at least the spacer means inclamping engagement with the cable means.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein:

the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generallylongitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sectionsof the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.

15 The method according to claim 12 wherein:

the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect tothe lateral extent of the bundle.

16. The method according to claim 12 including the step of:

providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vesselmeans, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of theconduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths convergingtoward a bundling station.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein:

the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at differentelevations along a portion thereof.

18. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of aplurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising:

floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extendstoward the submerged surface;

a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zoneslongitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipelinebundle, for spacing the conduits of the bundle;

cable means extending from said floating vessel means along thecontinuous pipeline bundle and interacting with said spacer means ingenerally longitudinal force transmitting relationship;

a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits toeach of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuouspipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; and

payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to saidcable means;

the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cablemeans and the spacer means, and the force transmittingrelationship ofthe spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react theweight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means atthe bundling zones.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein:

said spacer. means comprise means for aligning the conduits of thebundle in a predetermined orientation.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein:

said'spacer means are comprised of two sections for clampingly engagingsaid cable means.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein:

said spacer means are comprised of two sections for receiving said cablemeans therebetween.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 and includa plurality of cablestop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacermeans remote from the ends of the conduits on said floating vesselmeans.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18 including:

a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally andgenerally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vesselmeans;

said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterallyspaced and each converging towards a bundling station.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein:

said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least some of theconduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths. I

25. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of aplurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising-2 floatingvessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends towardthe submerged surface;

a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zoneslongitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipelinebundle, for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predeterminedspaced orientation;

cable means extending from said floating vessel the generallylongitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and thespacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacermeans and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight ofthe pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundlingzones.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein:

said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means ingenerally longitudinal force trans mitting relationship comprise aplurality of cable stop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the endsof the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on saidfloating vessel means.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein:

said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means ingenerally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise saidspacer means and a portion of said bundle in clamping engagement withsaid cable means.

28. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein:

said means for placingsaid cable means and said spacer means ingenerally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise sectionsof said spacer means clampingly engaging said cable means.

29. The apparatus according to claim 25 including:

a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally andgenerally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vesselmeans;

said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterallyspaced and each converging toward a bundling station.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein:

said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least'some of theconduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths.

31. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundlecomprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits,from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the methodutilizinga tensioned, elongate, flexible cable means to which the pipeline bundleis operatively coupled, the method comprising:

supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on I the floatingvessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of watertoward the submerged surface;

extending the tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from thefloating vessel toward the submerged surface;

bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundlingzones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by girding meanssurrounding the conduits and defining a bundling envelope;

positioning the cable means so as to extend longitudinally of the bundlewithin the bundle envelope; and

paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundleoperatively coupled thereto into the body of water while controlling thetension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and theprofile of the continuous pipeline bundle.

32. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of aplurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising:

floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extendstoward the submerged surface;

a plurality of girding means, surrounding the conduits and defining abundle envelope, for bundling the plurality of conduits together at aplurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits;

cable means, extending from said floating vessel 0

1. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable means at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing at least the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sections of the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal Force transmitting relationship by placing the spacer means and a portion of the conduit bundle in clamping engagement with the cable means.
 5. The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by positioning a plurality of cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by positioning a plurality of cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means.
 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein: the step of bundling comprises aligning and maintaining the plurality of conduits in a predetermined relative orientation with the spacer means.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein: the conduits are strapped to the spacer means with girding means surrounding the conduits and the spacer means, and wherein the step of operatively coupling the bundle to the cable means comprises positioning the cable means within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein: the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect to the lateral extent of the bundle.
 10. The method according to claim 1 including the step of: providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vessel means, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths converging toward a bundling station.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein: the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion thereof.
 12. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, and maintaining the conduits in a predetermined orientation by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means with girding means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship with the cable positioned within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the pipeline of the continuous pipeline of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing at least the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally lonGitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sections of the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
 15. The method according to claim 12 wherein: the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect to the lateral extent of the bundle.
 16. The method according to claim 12 including the step of: providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vessel means, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths converging toward a bundling station.
 17. The method according to claim 16 wherein: the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion thereof.
 18. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for spacing the conduits of the bundle; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle and interacting with said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means comprise means for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predetermined orientation.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means are comprised of two sections for clampingly engaging said cable means.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means are comprised of two sections for receiving said cable means therebetween.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 21 and including: a plurality of cable stop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on said floating vessel means.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 18 including: a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally and generally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vessel means; said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and each converging towards a bundling station.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein: said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths.
 25. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predetermined spaced orientation; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means tRansmitted to said plurality of spacer means; and means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise a plurality of cable stop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on said floating vessel means.
 27. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise said spacer means and a portion of said bundle in clamping engagement with said cable means.
 28. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise sections of said spacer means clampingly engaging said cable means.
 29. The apparatus according to claim 25 including: a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally and generally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vessel means; said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and each converging toward a bundling station.
 30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein: said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths.
 31. A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing a tensioned, elongate, flexible cable means to which the pipeline bundle is operatively coupled, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending the tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by girding means surrounding the conduits and defining a bundling envelope; positioning the cable means so as to extend longitudinally of the bundle within the bundle envelope; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle operatively coupled thereto into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle.
 32. Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of girding means, surrounding the conduits and defining a bundle envelope, for bundling the plurality of conduits together at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits; cable means, extending from said floating vessel means longitudinally of the continuous pipeline bundle within said bundle envelope, said cable means being operatively coupled to said bundle; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle. 